As a parent, if you always have a hard time convincing your child to pick up their science book and study, maybe you should consider giving them a visit to the Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam. This is one place that is full of surprises for both children and adults alike. There is not a single dull moment here as your child gets to engage in several immersive experiences and activities inside the premises. Hands-on activities based on scientific principles are a huge attraction for kids of all ages as they get to try them out and happily carry home unforgettable lessons.
The Nemo Science Museum is one of the largest museums in the Netherlands which opened its doors to the public on February 26th, 1997, making it 26 years old in 2023. The design of the building is a replica of a large ship and stands on the banks of the River IJ. It was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The museum covers an area of around 12,000 square meters and has five floors of interactive exhibits and activities.
Highlights of the Science Museum
The Nemo Science Museum is designed to engage visitors of all ages. It has multiple projects and activities modeled on the principles of science, technology, and engineering.
Some of the main attractions at the museum include the Chain Reaction Exhibit — a giant Rube Goldberg machine that demonstrates the principles of physics and engineering; Earth and Universe Exhibit, an interactive display that help children to explore the natural world and the universe; Human Exhibit, which investigates the workings of the human body and mind; the Water Exhibit, which explores the properties and uses of water; and the Energy Exhibit that showcases the sources and uses of energy, including renewable energy technologies.
The museum offers a wide range of interactive exhibits and activities that are suitable for visitors of all ages. The main highlights of the museum are —
Hands-on Exhibits — The interactive exhibits at the museum offers visitors to experiment with science and technology concepts. They can create their own chain reactions, design and build structures, explore the properties of light and sound, learn about the principles of gravity and attraction, make their own observations and deductions from science experiments in the laboratory setting, and engage in so much more.
Innovative Architecture and Design — The building of the museum is curiously designed in the shape of a large ship. It was designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano and offers stunning views of the city of Amsterdam from its rooftop terrace.
Science Demonstrations — There are science demonstrators at every corner and section of the museum who conduct live shows and experiments throughout the day, making science accessible and fun for visitors.
Variety of Themes — The museum has five floors of exhibits that cover a variety of themes, including the human body, water, earth and universe, energy, and technology. Visitors can learn about a range of scientific concepts and discoveries in an engaging and accessible way.
Suitable for Everyone — You can look forward to a fun family day out with your kids who will thank you forever for a memorable visit to the museum. The exhibits are meant for all age groups and you will never realize how time will fly by as there are too many immersive experiences and memories to carry from here.
You may expect to spend an average of 2-3 hours inside the museum depending on your interest, the number of exhibits you want to explore, and the activities you participate in at the museum. If you have limited time in hand, you can still have a meaningful visit to the museum by focusing on the exhibits and activities that interest you the most. Otherwise, a full day spent at the museum is enough to cover everything of importance. You can tailor the activities to suit your interests and schedule.
Info on Timings and Tickets
The Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam is open to the public every day of the week. It is open between 10 am to 5:30 pm. However, the museum is closed on King’s Day (27th April) and Christmas Day (25th December).
The current ticket prices of the museum are — Adults (age 18 and above): 18.50 euros; and Children (between 4 and 17 years): 16.50 euros. Children under 4 enjoy free admission.
They offer interesting deals and discounts to visitors who purchase tickets in advance and online. Moreover, it also saves you time from standing in long queues on the day of the visit.
Discounts are also available for groups of 15 or more. You can refer to their official website to check out relevant information before your visit or can contact the ticket desk for the latest updates on prices.
The museum holds special exhibitions and events from time to time but at additional fees. Teachers can organize field trips to the museum with their students but they need to inform the museum staff in advance and ask about discounts (if available).
Phone, Address and How to Reach
The Nemo Science Museum is located in the Oosterdokseiland neighborhood of Amsterdam. The address is —
Nemo Science Museum
Oosterdok 2
1011 VX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
For queries on tickets or others, you can call +31 (0)20-531 32 33 or +31 (0)20-244 28 77. To reach them over email, write to [email protected].
The science museum is easily accessible by public transportation, car, or bicycle, making it a convenient destination for visitors to Amsterdam. The closest train station is the Amsterdam Centraal Station. It is a 15-minute walk from the museum. You can also take trams 26 or 11 to the Kadijksplein stop; it is a 5-minute walk from the station.
If you are driving to the museum, there is a paid parking garage nearby. Amsterdam is a bike-friendly city. You will get bicycles for hire to ride around the city at a nominal price. There are bike racks outside the museum for visitors who arrive on bikes.
